Effect of Light Intensity on Leaf Photosynthetic Characteristics and Accumulation of Flavonoids in Lithocarpus litseifolius (Hance) Chun. (Fagaceae)

The active compounds in herb drugs are mainly secondary metabolites, which are greatly influenced by external conditions. Particularly, light intensity has a great influence on the photosynthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites. In this study, the light intensity was changed, and the influence of the light intensity on leaf photosynthetic characteristics, antioxidant enzyme activity and flavone contents of Lithocarpus litseifoliusp (Hance) Chun. was discussed. The results showed that (1) L. litseifolius is a typical heliophyte. As the light intensity decreased, the contents of chlorophyll a (Chl a), chlorophyll b (Chl b) and total chlorophyll (Chl a + b) all increased. However, the Chl a/b ratio gradually decreased. The daily variation of net photosynthetic rate changed from a double-peak curve under natural light to single-peak curve under 20% full light two shading nets. (2) As the light intensity decreased, the SOD and POD activities and the soluble proteins content decreased in the leaves. In contrast, the malondialdehyde content increased. (3) The flavone content was the highest in leaves at one shading nets 60% of full light, and the lowest occurred in leaves at two shading nets 20% of full light. A comprehensive analysis indicated that an appropriate shading could induce shade tolerance in the leaves of L. litseifolius, which promoted the accumulation of flavonoids. L. litseifolius should be planted in the lower position of sunny slope or the upper position of shady slope to increase the content of flavone in the leaves.

Analysis of the Role of D-Dimer,Interleukin-6,and Interleukin-18 in Differential Diagnosis of Pediatric Refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia

Objective:To analyze the value of D-dimer(D-D),interleukin-6(IL-6),and IL-18 in the differential diagnosis of children with refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(RMPP).Methods:The medical records of 92 children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP)treated in the hospital were selected for retrospective analysis from January 2023 to January 2024.After comprehensive examinations such as computed tomography examination of the chest,48 children with general Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(GMPP)were put in the GMPP group and 44 children with RMPP were grouped in the RMPP group.The IL-6,IL-18,and D-D levels were compared between the two groups,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were plotted to analyze their value for differential diagnosis of RMPP.Results:The levels of IL-6,IL-18,and D-D in the RMPP group were higher than those in the GMPP group(P<0.05);the ROC curves showed that the specificity of the differential diagnosis of IL-6,IL-18,and D-D was higher,and their diagnostic value was significant.Conclusion:Determination of IL-6,IL-18,and D-D levels in children with MPP can further diagnose the children’s condition,which can help physicians formulate targeted treatment plans,and is of great significance to the improvement of the children’s condition,which is worthy of attention.

Effect of the hyaluronic acid-poloxamer hydrogel on skin-wound healing: in vitro and in vivo studies

Background: Recent research into skin injury and wound healing has focused mainly on post‐trauma hemostasis, infection prevention, dermal regeneration and angiogenesis. However, less attention has been paid to air permeability and moisture loss prevention which also play important roles in injury healing. Methods: In the present work, we prepared a hyaluronic acid‐poloxamer (HA‐POL) hydrogel and tested the therapeutic effect of the hydrogel on skin‐wound healing. Results: The HA‐POL hydrogel transformed from sol to gel at 30°C, close to body temperature, and had stable moisturizing properties. HA‐POL hydrogel promoted skin‐wound healing and increased protein accumulation in the wound area. HA‐POL hydrogel allowed greater air permeability than Band‐aid, a typical wound covering. Results from transwell assays showed that the HA‐POL hydrogel effectively isolated skin‐wounds from bacterial invasion. Conclusion: This work demonstrates the advantages of using HA‐POL gel materials in the treatment of cutaneous wounds.

Effect of plateletcrit and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase(MTHFR)C677T genotypes on folic acid efficacy in stroke prevention

Previous studies have shown that low platelet count combined with high plasma total homocysteine(tHcy)increased stroke risk and can be lowered by 73% with folic acid.However,the combined role of other platelet activation parameters and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase(MTHFR)C677T genotypes on stroke risk and folic acid treatment benefit remain to be examined.This study aimed to investigate if platelet activation parameters and MTHFR genotypes jointly impact folic acid treatment efficacy in first stroke prevention.Data were derived from the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial.This study includes a total of 11,185 adult hypertensive patients with relevant platelet activation parameters and MTHFR genotype data.When simultaneously considering both platelet activation parameters(plateletcrit,platelet count,mean platelet volume,platelet distribution width)and MTHFR genotypes,patients with both low plateletcrit(Q1)and the TT genotype had the highest stroke incidence rate(5.6%)in the enalapril group.This subgroup significantly benefited from folic acid treatment,with a 66% reduction in first stroke(HR:0.34;95%CI:0.14-0.82;p=0.016).Consistently,the subgroup with low plateletcrit(Q1)and the CC/CT genotype also benefited from folic acid treatment(HR:0.40;95%CI:0.23-0.70;p=0.001).In Chinese hypertensive adults,low plateletcrit can identify those who may greatly benefit from folic acid treatment,in particular,those with the TT genotype,a subpopulation known to have the highest stroke risk.

Cancer nanotechnology: Enhancing tumor cell response to chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of the deadliest cancers due to its complexities,reoccurrence after surgical resection,metastasis and heterogeneity.In addition to sorafenib and lenvatinib for the treatment of HCC approved by FDA,various strategies including transarterial chemoembolization,radiotherapy,locoregional therapy and chemotherapy have been investigated in clinics.Recently,cancer nanotechnology has got great attention for the treatment of various cancers including HCC.Both passive and active targetings are progressing at a steady rate.Herein,we describe the lessons learned from pathogenesis of HCC and the understanding of targeted and non-targeted nanoparticles used for the delivery of small molecules,monoclonal antibodies,miRNAs and peptides.Exploring current efficacy is to enhance tumor cell response of chemotherapy.It highlights the opportunities and challenges faced by nanotechnologies in contemporary hepatocellular carcinoma therapy,where personalized medicine is increasingly becoming the mainstay.Overall objective of this review is to enhance our understanding in the design and development of nanotechnology for treatment of HCC.

Analysis of Cardiotoxicity from rh-Endostatin Therapy Combined with Chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cardotoxicity from recombinant human endostatin(rh-endostatin)combined with chemotherapy. METHODS A total of 12 cancer patients treated with rh- endostatin combined with chemotherapy were selected,and their clinical data collected.Their symptoms,including cardiopalmus, chest distress,dyspnea and changes in their electrocardiogram (ECG),myocardium enzymogram and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),were observed during the drug treatment.These indicators were used for early diagnosis of cardiotoxicity. RESULTS Compared with a pre-therapeutic value,there was a significant increase in the CK-MB value at one week after starting the treatment as well as at the end of treatment(P<0.05).There was a significant change in the ECG at the end of treatment, compared to a pre-therapeutic condition(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference when comparing the pre-and post- therapeutic LVEF values. CONCLUSION It was recognized that mild cardiac adverse reactions exist in the regimen of recombinant human endostatin combined with chemotherapy.This therapy caused definite injury to the cardiac muscle,but cardiac functions were not obviously changed.CK-MB and ECG may be used as indicators for early monitoring cardiac toxicity.Vigilance against cardiac adverse reactions should be heightened during a course of rh-endostatin combined with chemotherapy.

Efficient removal of Cr(Ⅲ)-carboxyl complex from neutral and high-salinity wastewater by nitrogen doped biomass-based composites

Heavy metals usually exist stably as the species of organic complexes in high-salinity wastewater.Therefore,their effective removal is challenging,especially when the initial p H is neutral.Herein,a novel nitrogen doped biomass-based composite(N-CMCS)was synthesized to remove the complexed heavy metal of Cr(Ⅲ)-carboxyl.The maximum adsorption capacity of Cr(Ⅲ)-Citrate(Cr-Cit)by N-CMCS under neutral p H(7.0)and high-salinity(200 mmol/L NaCl)condition was up to 2.50 mmol/g.And the removal performance remained stable after 6 times of regeneration.Combined with species and characterizations analysis,electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonding were the main mechanisms for N-CMCS to remove Cr(Ⅲ)-carboxyl complexes.Dynamic adsorption indicated N-CMCS column could treat about 1300BV simulated wastewater and 350 BV actual wastewater with the concentration of effluent lower than1.0 mg/L.Furthermore,N-CMCS could remove a variety of complexed heavy metal ions under neutral p H,indicating the great potential in practical application.

克隆杜洛克种公猪及其扩繁后代的生产性能评价

为评估克隆种公猪在生猪产业上的应用价值,进行杜洛克种公猪的克隆及扩繁试验研究。采集2头常规选育的杜洛克种公猪耳组织,建立细胞系、生产重构胚,移植到受体母猪,分娩克隆公猪并调教采精,采集精液并参配纯种杜洛克母猪,统计其生产性能,以同期普通杜洛克公猪及其后代为对照。结果显示:(1)建立了种猪耳组织细胞建系、重构胚生产、胚胎移植等技术体系;(2)移植7头代孕母猪,共产仔39头克隆杜洛克公猪,断奶存活21头,60日龄存活17头,达100 kg体重日龄测定15头,调教采精成功10头,种猪利用率为25.6%(10/39);(3)获得的克隆公猪与同期杜洛克公猪在初生重、断奶重、校正100 kg体重日龄、校正背膘厚等指标上无显著性差异;(4)获得的59头杜洛克克隆公猪后代与同期普通杜洛克公猪后代在初生重、断奶重、校正100 kg体重日龄、校正背膘等指标上无显著性差异,仅在右乳头数指标上,克隆公猪后代(6.34±0.48)显著低于普通公猪后代(6.60±0.66)。结论:建立了种猪克隆快速扩繁技术平台,但常规选育的克隆公猪及其后代生产性能与普通公猪及其后代无显著差异,需要进一步提高选择准确性,同时提高克隆效率及其存活率,才能满足克隆技术应用于终端公猪生产的产业要求。

Removal atrazine using two anion-exchange resins supported nanohydrous metal-oxide particle

Hydrous iron oxide and hydrous aluminum oxide were loaded successfully onto a polymeric adsorbent(D301) to modify adsorbing materials(HIOD301 and HAOD301). The adsorptive equilibrium of atrazine was investigated in an aquatic environment using HIOD301 and HAOD301 under different experimental conditions. The results indicated that both HIOD301 and HAOD301 showed good adsorption capacities for atrazine at p H 4. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm equations were used to study the interactions between the adsorbate and adsorbent.The adsorption kinetics of atrazine at different concentrations was well described in terms of a pseudosecond-order equation in regard to the correlation coefficients and adsorption capacity. The removal percentages of atrazine for HIOD301 and HAOD301 were still more than 95% in the presence of sodium chloride.

Occurrence and risk assessment of azole fungicides during the urban water cycle:A year-long study along the Yangtze River,China

Azole fungicides(AFs)play an important role in the prevention and treatment of fungal diseases in agricultural crops.However,limited studies are addressing the fate and ecological risk of AFs in the urban water cycle at a large watershed scale.To address this gap,we investigated the spatiotemporal distribution and ecological risk of twenty AFs in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River across four seasons.Carbendazim(CBA),tebuconazole(TBA),tricyclazole(TCA),and propiconazole(PPA)were found to be the dominant compounds.Their highest concentrations were measured in January(188.3 ng/L),and November(2197.1 ng/L),July(162.0 ng/L),and November(1801.9 ng/L),respectively.The comparison between wastewater treatment plants(WWTPs)effluents and surface water suggested that industrial WWTPs are major sources of AFs in the Yangtze River.In particular,TBA and PPA were found to be the most recalcitrant AFs in industrial WWTPs,while difenoconazole(DFA)was found to be the most potent pollutant in municipal WWTPs,with an average removal rate of less than60%.The average risk quotient(RQ)for the entire AFs was 6.45 in the fall,which was higher than in January(0.98),April(0.61),and July(0.40).This indicates that AFs in surface water posed higher environmental risks during the dry season.Additionally,the exposure risk of AFs via drinking water for sensitive populations deserves more attention.This study provides benchmark data on the occurrence of AFs in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River,and offers suggestions for better reduction of AFs.

Evaluating a river's ecological health: A multidimensional approach

Evaluating the health of river surface water is essential,as rivers support significant biological resources and serve as vital drinking water sources.While the Water Quality Index(WQI)is commonly employed to evaluate surface water quality,it fails to consider biodiversity and does not fully capture the ecological health of rivers.Here we show a comprehensive assessment of the ecological health of surface water in the lower Yangtze River(LYR),integrating chemical and biological metrics.According to traditional WQI metrics,the LYR's surface water generally meets China's Class II standards.However,it also contains 43 high-risk emerging contaminants;nitrobenzenes are found at the highest concentrations,representing 25e90%of total detections,while polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons present the most substantial environmental risks,accounting for 81e93%of the total risk quotient.Notably,the plankton-based index of biological integrity(P-IBI)rates the ecological health of the majority of LYR water samples(59.7%)as‘fair’,with significantly better health observed in autumn compared to other seasons(p<0.01).Our findings suggest that including emerging contaminants and P-IBI as additional metrics can enhance the traditional WQI analysis in evaluating surface water's ecological health.These results highlight the need for a multidimensional assessment approach and call for improvements to LYR's ecological health,focusing on emerging contaminants and biodiversity rather than solely on reducing conventional indicators.

Phenolic Composition Analysis and Gene Expression in Developing Seeds of Yellow-and Black-seeded Brassica napus

Breeders have focused on yellow-seeded Brassica napus （rapeseed） for its better quality com- pared with the black-seeded variety. Moreover, flavonoids have been associated with this kind of rapeseed. In this study, we applied lipid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spec- trometry （LC-ESI-MSn ） to compare flavonoids in developing seeds of natural black-seeded B. na- pus and yellow-seeded introgression lines selected from progenies of B. napus–Sinapis alba so- matic hybrids. Aside from the most abundant phenolic compounds （sinapine and sinapic acid） and 1, 2-disinapoylglucose, 16 different flavonoids were identified and quantified, including （-）- epicatechin, five monocharged oligomers of （-）-epicatechin （[DP 2]- , [DP 3]- , [DP 4] [DP 2]- B2 and [DP 2]- B5）, quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin-dihexoside, kaempferol-sinapoyl-trihexoside, isorhamnetin- sinapoyl-trihexoside, isorhamnetin-hexoside-sulfate, and isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside. Most of the flavonoids accumulated with seed development, whereas some rapidly decreased during maturation. The content of these flavonoids was lower in the yellow-seeded materials than in the black seeds. In addition, variations of insoluble procyanidin oligomers and soluble phenolic acids were observed among both rapeseed varieties. Transcriptome changes of genes participating in the flavonoid pathway were discovered by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. Consistent with flavonoid changes identified by high performance liquid chromatography analysis, the expression of most genes in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway was also downregulated.

Delivery of triptolide with reduction-sensitive polymer nanoparticles for liver cancer therapy on patient-derived xenografts models

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)has become the fourth predominant cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide,and HCC is still one of the worst prognoses for survival as it is poorly responsive to both chemotherapy and surgical treatment due to drug resista nce and great toxic effects.Triptolide(TP),a key ingredient from the traditional Chinese medical herb,has been utilized to treat inflammation and antitumor for centuries.However,investigations of this potent agent have been met with only limited success due to the severe systemic toxicities in patients and low water solubility as well as its high toxicity over the past two decades.Herein,we reported the development of a reduction-responsive drug delive ry system loaded with TP fo r glutathione(GSH)-trigge red drug release for cancer therapy.With the GSH-sensitive TP loaded nanoparticles,the remarkable increases in tumor accumulation and amelioration of drug toxicity in animals are demonstrated,which is likely due to sustained stepwise release of active TP within cancer cells.Moreover,in a patient-derived tumor xenograft model of liver cancer,administration of tritolide nanoparticles enhances the antitumor efficacy relative to administration of free TP.These findings indicate that GSH-sensitive release of TP may be a promising strategy for cancer treatment.

CXCR4-guided liposomes regulating hypoxic and immunosuppressive microenvironment for sorafenib-resistant tumor treatment

Clinical sorafenib treatment could activate C-X-C receptor type 4(CXCR4)/stromal source factor-1α(SDF-1α)axis to aggravate intra-tumoral hypoxia of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),which further leads to progression,invasion,metastasis,and immunosuppression of tumors and in return causes resistance to sorafenib therapy.Therefore,a multi-functional oxygen delivery nanoplatform was rationally constructed based on an oxygen-saturated perfluorohexane(PFH)-cored liposome,with the CXCR4 antagonist LFC131 peptides modifying on the surface to simultaneously deliver sorafenib and the CSF1/CSF1R inhibitor PLX3397(named PFH@LSLP)for sorafenib-resistant HCC treatment.The PFH@LSLP was developed to overcome sorafenib resistance by syner-gistic effects of the following 3 roles:1)the O_(2)-saturated PFH core could alleviate the tumor hypoxia by O_(2) supply;2)the LFC131 peptide recognized the hypoxia-related overexpressed CXCR4 and then blocked SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis to re-sensitize the HCC cells to sorafenib;3)PLX3397 activated the immune responses via inhibiting the CSF1/CSF1R pathway in TAMs,further enhanced CD8^(+)T cell infiltration to reverse immunosuppression in tumors.Antitumor performance on H22 tumor-bearing mice and HCC patient-derived tumor xenograft(PDX)model showed that PFH@LSLP could overcome sorafenib resistance by synergistic effect of hypoxia attenuation,resistance-related gene regulation,and immune-microenvironment modification.

An efficient resin for solid-phase extraction and determination by UPLCMS/MS of 44 pharmaceutical personal care products in environmental waters

In this study,a hydrophilic resin named GCHM was fabricated based on poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone-codivinylbenzene),characterized,and applied as a solid-phase extraction(SPE)material.Up to 44 pharmaceuticals and personal care products(PPCPs)belonging to 10 classes were recovered in environmental water samples.Different variables affecting extraction,such as adsorbent amount,sample pH,and loading speed,were optimized.Under optimal conditions,the average absolute recovgy of 44 PPCPs was 75.6%using GCHM,indicating a better performance than the commercial Oasis^HLB.SPE with home-made hydrophilic polymeric sorbent followed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry was validated,and the method achieved good linearity(r2>0.991,for all analytes).In addition,the method detection limits of target compounds ranged from 0.03 to 0.6 ng/L.The developed method was applied to determine PPCPs in 10 environmental water samples taken from the Yangtze River,Huaihe River,and Taihu Lake,1 groundwater sample from Changzhou in Jiangsu Province,1 wastewater sample from Xiamen and 2 seawater samples from the Jiulong River in Fujian Province,China.In these samples,22 compounds were determined at levels ranging from 0.5 to 1590 ng/L.

Application of a green coagulant with PACl in efficient purification of turbid water and its mechanism study

The applications of natural polymeric flocculants due to their green feature has been recently received much more attention. In this work, the combined usages of a cationic starch-based coagulant and polyaluminum chloride(PACl) were extensively evaluated for various addition sequences in the coagulation of both raw(surface water from the Jiuxiang River) and synthetic turbid water(two kaolin suspensions with different initial turbidities).Two typical cationic starch-based coagulants with different structures(St-G and St-E) were tried. In comparison to St-G, St-E and PACl used individually as well as St-G and St-E dosed after PACl, the combination of the starch-based coagulants fed before PACl showed higher turbidity removal efficiency, which featured not only less optimal doses of both inorganic and organic coagulants but also lower residual turbidity. On the basis of a detailed analysis of the particle size and its distribution in solution supernatants before and after coagulation by two starch-based coagulants and PACl, polymeric coagulants preferentially coagulate the small-sized colloids due to their distinct long-chain structures, but PACl preferentially coagulates the medium-sized ones. Thus, the medium-sized particles that were previously formed by the starch-based coagulants would be collectively and effectively removed by the subsequent addition of PACl. The addition sequence of the inorganic and organic coagulants in their combined usage is an important factor for improvement of the turbidity removal efficiency in practice.

Multifractal characteristics of cylindrical sludge drying

This paper analyzes dewatered sludge drying using the multifractal theory.The drying rates of cylindrical sludge with equal masses but different crosssectional diameters was studied,from which multifractal parameters such as partition function and quality exponent were obtained.The parameters acquired were used to calculate the multifractal singularity spectrum and indicate the presence of multifractal characteristics.The smaller cross-sectional diameters of the sludge were found to be non-homogeneous,and required quantitative methods to analyze.

Bilateral carotid cavernous fistula after trauma:a case report and literature review

Background:Carotid cavernous fistula is a rare complication that is typically associated with head trauma and skull base fractures.The traumatic bilateral carotid cavernous fistula are significantly rarer.Case presentations:We report a case of a 61-year-old man presenting with unilateral exophthalmos,swollen eyelids,conjunctival congestion,and edema etiologically associated with severe trauma.Thereafter,the patient demonstrated symptoms of contralateral oculomotor nerve injury caused by skull base fracture,such as ptosis of eyelid,dilated pupils,and eye movement disorder,and was diagnosed with bilateral carotid cavernous fistula.Conclusions:The patient recovered after undergoing endovascular embolization of bilateral cavernous sinus fistulas.The patient demonstrated the classic symptoms of an extremely rare condition known as bilateral carotid cavernous fistula,in only one eye.Reporting and analyzing this case will help us elucidate the underlying mechanisms of this disease.

Control strategies for disinfection byproducts by ion exchange resin,nanofiltration and their sequential combination

Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) are emerging pollutants in drinking water with high health risks. Precursor reduction before disinfection is an effective strategy to control the formation of DBPs. In this study, three types of anion exchange resins (AERs) and two types of nanofiltration (NF) membranes were tested for their control effects on DBP precursors, DBPs, and total organic halogen (TOX). The results showed that, for AER adsorption, the removal efficiencies of DBP precursors, DBPs, and TOX increased with the increase of resin dose, and the strong basic macroporous anion exchange resin (M500MB) had the highest removal efficiencies. For NF, the highest removal efficiencies were achieved at an operating pressure of 4 bar, and the membrane (NF90) with a smaller molecular weight cut-off, had a better control efficiency. However, AER adsorption was inefficient in removing dissolved organic carbon (DOC);NF was inefficient in removing Br− resulting in insufficient control of Br-DBPs. Accordingly, a sequential approach of AER (M500MB) adsorption followed by NF (NF90) was developed to enhance the control efficiency of DBPs. Compared with single AER adsorption and single NF, the sequential approach further increased the removal efficiencies of DOC by 19.4%–101.9%, coupled with the high Br− removal efficiency of 92%, and thus improved the reduction of cyclic DBPs and TOX by 3.5%–4.9%, and 2.4%–8.4%, respectively;the sequential approach also reduced the cytotoxicity of the water sample by 66.4%.

A car-following model based on the optimized velocity and its security analysis

An enhanced optimal velocity model(EOVM)that considers driving safety is established to alleviate traffic congestion and ensure driving safety.Time headway is introduced as a criterion for determining whether the car is safe.When the time headway is less discussed to ensure the model's safety and maintain the following state.A stability analysis of the model was carried out to determine than the minimum time headway(TH_(min))or more than the most comfortable time headway(TH_(com)),the acceleration constraints are the stability conditions of the model.The EOVM is compared with the optimal velocity model(OVM)and fuzzy car-following model using the real dataset.Experiments show that the EOVM model has the smallest error in average,maximum and median with the real dataset.To confirm the model's safety,design fleet simulation experiments were conducted for three actual scenarios of starting,stopping and uniform process.